Pulmicort 100mcg Turbuhaler (Budesonide)

Pulmicort general information

What is Pulmicort used for?

Pulmicort turbuhaler 100mcg is an inhaled medication used for long-term treatment of asthma, including management of chronic asthma, preventing exacerbations of asthma and exercise-induced asthma, and to prevent but not treat asthma attack. Pulmicort turbuhaler is known as a “preventer” asthma medication and is used regularly as part of an asthma management plan, which may also include a “reliever” or “rescue” medication, for use when needed. Pulmicort turbuhaler controls underlying inflammation of the airways and reduces sensitivity to allergens or irritants in the air, improving lung function and reducing symptoms of asthma, including, wheezing, cough tightness of the chest and shortness of breath.

How does Pulmicort work?

Pulmicort turbuhaler 100mcg contains budesonide propionate, which is a corticosteroid and anti-inflammatory medication that blocks the production of inflammatory chemicals released in the airways in response to asthma triggers, such as an allergens or irritants in the air. Inflammation is one of the underlying causes of asthma along with bronchospasm, which is constriction (narrowing of the bronchioles (small airways). Pulmicort turbuhaler works directly on the airway walls to block inflammatory reactions in the airways, reducing the swelling and inflammation, which helps to prevent symptoms of asthma like wheezing, cough, tightness of the chest and shortness of breath. It does not relieve bronchospasm which happens during an asthma attack; this needs a bronchodilator “reliever” medication to open the airways.

What does Pulmicort contain?

Pulmicort turbuhaler 100mcg contains the active ingredient budesonide, a corticosteroid and anti-inflammatory, used as an asthma prevention medication, as a dry powder. Pulmicort turbuhaler is inhalation driven so that when you inhale, a single dose of dry powder containing 100mcg budesonide is delivered directly to your lungs without the use of any propellant. Each turbuhaler contains only budesonide powder without any carrier substances or preservatives and provides at least 200 doses.

Treating asthma with Pulmicort

Pulmicort turbuhaler 100mcg contains budesonide propionate, which is a corticosteroid and anti-inflammatory medication that is used to treat asthma as part of an asthma management plan to reduce symptoms and exacerbations of asthma, and to improve lung function. Budesonide in Pulmicort turbuhaler 100mcg blocks the production of inflammatory chemicals released in the airways in response to asthma triggers, such as an allergens or irritants in the air. Pulmicort turbuhaler is used as a long-term “preventer” medication to reduce inflammation and swelling of the airways of the lung. Your asthma management plan may also include a bronchodilator for relief of bronchospasm, (constriction or narrowing of the bronchioles or small airways). You should not use Pulmicort turbuhaler as a “reliever” or “rescue” medication for bronchospasm or if you are having an asthma attack; for this you need a fast acting bronchodilator.

Should you take Pulmicort with other asthma inhalers?

Pulmicort turbuhaler 100mcg is used as a long-term “preventer” medication to reduce inflammation and swelling of the airways of the lung, as part of an asthma management plan to reduce symptoms and exacerbations of asthma, and to improve lung function. Your asthma management plan may also include a bronchodilator for relief of bronchospasm, (constriction or narrowing of the bronchioles or small airways). Both are intended to be taken together, only if recommended by your doctor.

What are the side effects of Pulmicort?

The most commonly reported side effects when using Pulmicort turbuhaler 100mcg include a sore throat or tongue, which may be due to candida infection (thrush), hoarseness or throat irritation and contusion in the skin (bruising).

When should Pulmicort not be used?

You should not use Pulmicort turbuhaler 100mcg if you:

• are allergic to budesonide in Pulmicort turbuhaler
• are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding, without discussion with your doctor
• currently have an infection, as Pulmicort turbuhaler may hide some of the signs of infection
• are taking other medications that may interact with Pulmicort turbuhaler, like ritonavir for HIV infection, and the antifungal drug ketoconazole

What are the health risks of Pulmicort?

Long term use of Pulmicort turbuhaler may cause the adrenal glands, which produce endogenous (naturally occurring) corticosteroids, to stop working efficiently. This may slow down the growth rate in children and will need regular monitoring. Pulmicort turbuhaler may also cause decreased bone mineral density if used for long periods.

What is paradoxical bronchospasm?

All inhaled asthma medications can cause paradoxical bronchospasm, which is when the inhaled medication taken to relieve bronchospasm actually makes it worse, causing wheezing, shortness of breath and tightness of the chest. If this happens you should inform your doctor and take their advice.

How should Pulmicort be taken?

The dose of Pulmicort turbuhaler you use (how many inhalations) and how often take it depends on the severity of your asthma, your age, prior asthma therapy and should be as recommended by your doctor. You will usually take one or two inhalations once a day or twice a day, morning and evening, to a maximum dose of 400mcg twice daily in children and 800mcg twice daily in adults. Pulmicort turbuhaler does not work immediately, but you should feel an improvement within 24hours, although it may take 1-2 weeks before you feel maximum benefit. You should not stop taking your Pulmicort turbuhaler, even if you feel better.

How to use your Pulmicort turbuhaler

Follow the instruction provided with your Pulmicort turbuhaler:

1. Place the mouthpiece in your mouth.
2. Breathe in forcefully and deeply through the mouthpiece to ensure that a full dose of budesonide is delivered to your lungs.
3. Remove the mouthpiece. Do not breathe out through the mouthpiece
4. Rinse your mouth with water.

How many inhalations to take from your Pulmicort turbuhaler?

How many inhalations you take from your Pulmicort turbuhaler and how often depends on the severity of your asthma, your age, prior asthma therapy and should be as recommended by your doctor. You will usually take one or two inhalations once a day or twice a day, morning and evening, to a maximum dose of 400mcg twice daily in children and 800mcg twice daily in adults. Pulmicort turbuhaler is a breath-activated metered dose turbuhaler, which delivers exactly one dose per inhalation.

How long should you take Pulmicort?

You should use for Pulmicort turbuhaler continually for as long as recommended by your doctor. You should not stop taking your Pulmicort turbuhaler, even if you feel better.

Missed dose of Pulmicort

If you miss a dose of Pulmicort turbuhaler take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose.

How should Pulmicort be stored?

You should store your Pulmicort Turbuhaler below 30°C, and keep away from direct sunlight. Always keep the cover tightened when not in use.